WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing output rose a solid 0.3 percent last month, led by increased production of cars, electronics and appliances, the Federal Reserve said last week.

WASHINGTON, DC--U.S. manufacturers' output fell 0.4 percent in March, led by a large step-down in the production of motor vehicles and parts, the Federal Reserve announced last week. Factory output aside from motor vehicles and parts moved down 0.2 percent. For the first quarter as a whole, industrial production rose at an annual rate of 1.5 percent.

The U.S. manufacturing workforce is among the most productive in the world. U.S. manufacturing productivity (measured as output per hour) increased 2.5 percent in 2014, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

WASHINGTON—U.S. manufacturing output in November surpassed its pre-recession peak, as automotive production kicked into a higher gear. The Federal Reserve said that factory production rose 1.1 percent last month, up from a 0.4 percent improvement in October. Manufacturing output has risen 4.8 percent over the past 12 months. It’s now above the previous high set just before the downturn began in December 2007.

WASHINGTON—Output at factories, mines and utilities rose 0.6 percent in May, reflecting gains at makers of automobiles, business equipment and construction supplies, according to Federal Reserve data.

WASHINGTON—U.S. worker productivity shrank in the final three months of 2012, although the decline was caused by temporary factors. Productivity contracted at an annual rate of 2 percent in the October-December quarter, the biggest drop since the first quarter of 2011.

WASHINGTON—Overall manufacturing output for October came in at a level just above 93, meaning it is still about 7 percent below the peak in 2007.